Our Story
The Cardiac Therapy Foundation was founded in 1970 by Stanford clinicians with a vision to be recognized as the leader in cardiac therapy and chronic disease management in the San Francisco Peninsula.
Dr. Gary Fry, a Stanford cardiologist, was passionate about preventing heart attacks and keeping patients out of the hospital. After meeting with Dr. Herman Hellerstein who “fathered” cardiac rehabilitation at the Cleveland Clinic along with Dr. Nanette Wenger, Dr. Fry wanted to start a similar program in the San Francisco area. He shared his dream with Kathy Berra, a Registered Nurse and a Nurse Practitioner in the Stanford Coronary Care Unit, and together they started the Cardiac Therapy Program.
The Cardiac Therapy Program thrived at the YMCA on Ross Road until 1993 when it moved its location to the Jewish Community Center. In 2003, it moved to the Cubberley Community Center. The program continues to evolve and thrive; changing with the times, adapting and pivoting to the COVID pandemic and now offers both online and in-person services making it stronger and more diverse in its geographical reach.
In the 70’s, most clinicians feared exercise for persons with coronary artery disease based on the concern that it would “harm them.” Dr. Fry and other well known cardiologists from around the world believed in the benefits of exercise, diet and stress management and they were right! I never looked back, cardiac rehabilitation was just what I had a passion for…..clinical care combined with positive health measures to reduce risk and improve length of life and quality of life.